Amid worsening diplomatic ties between New Delhi and Ottawa, Canadian police arrested an unidentified individual in reference to vandalism of Hindu temples within the nation, stated a report.
That is reportedly the primary arrest because the temple desecration incident about two months in the past. The Lakshmi Narayan Mandir, a outstanding temple in Canada’s British Columbia state that was visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015, was vandalised with pro-Khalistani posters on August 12.
A consultant for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Surrey, informed Hindustan Instances that an individual was arrested over alleged involvement within the August 12 and 14 incidents. The person was charged with two counts of mischief and will probably be required to look in court docket at a later date, the outlet cited the official as saying.
CCTV footage from the safety cameras dated August 12 confirmed two individuals placing up posters on the primary door of the Surrey temple. The posters pasted on its entrance gate and rear wall within the wee hours have been eliminated after they have been found within the morning.
One of many posters, portraying pro-Khalistan chief Hardeep Singh Nijjar as a “martyr”, learn, “Khalistan referendum – Shaheed Jathedar Hardeep Singh Nijjar – Canada – Examine India’s Position in June 18th Assassination.” The temple defaced within the August 14 incident couldn’t be instantly recognized.
A month later, whereas the G20 summit was being hosted by New Delhi, Khalistani separatist and founding father of the banned Sikh for Justice Gurpatwant Pannun was seen inciting the group on September 10 throughout an anti-India referendum in Surrey.
Just a few days later Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged that India was concerned within the killing of Nijjar, who India had designated as a terrorist in 2020. India dismissed Trudeau’s allegations as “absurd” and “motivated”, following which the nation expelled a senior Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat transfer to Ottawa’s expulsion of an Indian official. India has additionally suspended visa for Canadians and each international locations have put a pause on commerce talks.
One other outstanding Hindu temple, BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Ontario province’s Windsor, was defaced by unidentified people with “anti-India graffiti” on April 5.
On January 31, the Gauri Shankar temple in Brampton, additionally in Ontario, was desecrated with anti-India graffiti. Final 12 months, at the least three comparable incidents have been additionally reported in Canada.